The Morning Call from Allentown, Pennsylvania • 66

PARKE FRANKEN FIELD AND HIS ORCHESTRA: By Special Request (EKrap) while they are evocative and 4 sensitive, they aren't really his strengths. He's better when he sticks to the familiar tack he continues through most of side two, notably the title track, written with Jackie DeShannon, and "No Such Luck" and "Believe in It." McDonald is cautious here and sticks with the familiar: which adds up to a don't miss for Doobie fans but I'd prefer something more adventurous next time. STEVE FORBERT (Nemperor) forget this stuff was recorded (almost) live at the 1 974 Montreux Jazz Festival. I'd try to believe the real (probable) reason this was released at all is that Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman plays on it. I'd try not to lose sleep over the insulting cartoon characters -on the cover who don't look anything like the Guy and Wells who tore up the Philly Folk Festival last weekend.

There are some good-to-great moments of post-World War II urban blues here, some of -them a tribute to Sonny Boy Williamson, who did much to change the way harmonica is played and whose influence on Wells is apparent. Guy and Wells have played with some of the biggest names in the blues and have been working-together for more than 20 years. The blues they laid down at the Philly Fest was more like Lynyrd Skynyrd's three-guitar charge: here, they're more within the urban blues tradition. Personal taste Spandau's latest is uncommonly good). I've almost grown used to these beat-.

crazy fashion plates' sadistically relentless, dis-cofied rhythms, spacey synthesizers and melodramatic vocalizing. But the megadoses of brooding melancholia and obscure lyrics -about predatory lovers, precious romances and ego-alter ego crosstalk still are sore spots. "Rio" is Duran Duran's second LP. and while it's more varied than the band's first, which stretched two decent songs "Planet Earth" and "Girls on Film" over eight tracks, it's a pain in the butt to sit through. I really like the funky title track; the pop-flavored "My Own Way." and the eerie, evocative "The Chauffeur." But listening to Duran Duran in anything but small doses is asking for tedium.

Buy the singles. he's blanding out. lend an ear to "Communication." Barring an unforseen change in the taste of mainstream rock fans. Winwood's third solo outing (for the sec- ond time. Will Jennings writes the lyrics) should maintain the marketplace momentum sparked by last year's platinum "Arc Of A Diver" LP.

There may not be anything here as likeably funky as "Time Is Running Out." or as catchy as "While You See A Chance." But to these ears. Winwood's melodic savvy and rustic-blues voice have never been better. He approximates the sharp, angular harmonics of British synth-pop on the opening cut. "Valerie." and borrows liberally from '60s "And I Go." None of the songs can be described as upbeat, but they do achieve a pleasant, wholesome calm. -All things considered.

"Talking Back To The Night" is Winwood's most absorbing vinyl involvement since Traffic's "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." The solo debut from ex-Led Zeppeliner Plant succeeds by virtue of the singer's impeccable taste in choosing both material arid sidemen. kudos go to drummers Phil Collins and Cozy Powell, saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft (the star of side one's-" Pledge and guitarist Robbie "Son of Jimmy Page" Blunt. And after all those years of rattling arena walls and standing up to cheap immitations, Planf primal screech still sounds good. "Slow Dancer" is a marvelously moody melodrama, and I like the way Blunt gives "Moonlight In Samosa" a gentle Latin lilt. "Worse Than Detroit" and "Mystery Title" would fit in on any Led Zep LP.

and it's those hard-edged rockers which make "Pictures At Eleven" an intriguing starting point in this three-disc parade: After Plant delivers his knock-out punch, Winwood helps cushion the fall, while Townshend waits to urge you back into the ring. The Frankenfield group, long a favorite of jazz fans in the Lehigh Valley, has re- -leased an LP that gives local listeners what they like best the mainstream sounds of some fine musicians and sturdy vocalizations by Parke of oft-requested standards that are sure to please. Parke's keyboarding is on target and while he is no virtuoso as a singer, he gets the job done on such chestnuts as "Now That We're in Love," "The One for Popular tenbr saxophonist Bobby "Lips" Levine is his usual mellifluous self on "Misty." and trumpeter Frank-ie Burd provides solid backup, as do bassist Arlan Diefen-derfer and drummer Amie Wetzel, on the remaining cuts. All in all. this LP is easy.

in-the-Valley-groove listening. RORY GALLAGHER: (Mercury) True rock legends are far too few these days, but after 15 years and at least a dozen albums (not including countless bootlegs and vinyl appearances with the likes of Muddy Waters and jerry Lee Lewis). Gallagher probably fits the bill as well as anyone. Still traveling the same rock-blues road that he has since his days with Taste. Gallagher nonetheless continues to breathe new life into his patented brand of rock 'n' roll'on "Jinx." While not exactly groundbreaking, tunes like "Ride On Red.

Ride On" and "The Devil Made Me Do It" are gritty and upbeat. And there's enough virtuotso guitar playing on rockers like "Signals" and "Easy Come. Easy Go" to please most any fan. Flashiness (or preten- -tiousness) is not what Gallagher is about. He is an artist who has worked hard for many years turning a life devoted to music into an institution, not just a career.

PETE TOWNSHEND: All Th BMt Cowboys i Have Chines Eyes (Atco) STEVE WIN WOOD: i Talking Back To The Night (Island) 4 ROBERT PLANT: Pictures At Eleven (Swan Song) One usually thinks of rock 'n' roll as a youngblood's game, but don't tell that to these three warhorses. Each one has been making a joyful noise for more than a decade, and the artistic merits of their most recent work prove they aren't ready for the glue factory just Townshend may want to leave the job of representing Britain's young restless breed to bands like Anti-Pasti. and Why not? Now 37 and wearing the Rock Rebel mantle long enough, the Who's guitarist and guiding light has had to overcome family difficulties and alcohol-drug problems at a time when his artistic credibility had reached its most pivotal stage. Thus, it should surprise no one that Townshend's music (especial-. ly his sop work) has become more personal and less generational over the years.

"Empty Glass." Townshend's previous solo album (dedicated to the Sex Pistols), was as authentic a statement of purpose as any I've heard by a rock star, and though his new LP is a much slighter work, it contains re- vealing glimpses of how Townshend's coping with success and the bloody battleground of male-female relationships. And if you think 4- RECORD Pi Quotation of the Dayr "Today's predictions of musical greatness for a new artist usually bring on tomorrow's disappointing albums." In 1 978. Steve Forbert. a baby-faced guitarist fresh out of Mississippi, was being hailed as "the next Dylan." Time and four subsequent albums, unfortunately, have made Forbert the embodiment of a musical Murphy's Law. After a promising debut, Forbert's -LPs have become mired in slick over-production, choking off the urgency that won him the critical accolades.

"Steve Forbert" offers more of the same disappointing fare. It's too bad. because Forbert's lyrical talents sneak through occasionally on cuts like "He's Gotta Live Up to His "Prisoner of Stardom." To his credit, Forbert's exuberant vocals usually are above par, although he misses more often than not with the message. Forbert should go see "Rocky III" and then head back to Mississippi, where he might be able to recapture the edge that fueled all that hope back in 1978. BUDDY GUY JUNIOR WELLS: Drinkin' TNT 'N' Smokin' Dynamite (Blind Pig) BUOOYGUY JUNIOR WELL 7, If I were Guy and Wells.

I'd have the blues, too. I'd try to will have its final say here, but I'll take the real thing any day of the week. Weekends, too. 11 WARREN ZEVON: The Envoy (Asylum) Zevon in the role of a survivor? The excitable boy a diplomat? The hard-boiled skeptic paying homage to love? The perennial preyed-upon and ptit-upon victim of romance now willing to take the marriage vows? Yes, and what's even better, singer-songwriter Zevon's art, for all its new-found suffered. He still knows what motivates a man to risk all for some tempting jailbait "The Overdraft He remembers what it's like to be trapped in a private hell created by psychotic delusions Mentioned," a spooky, wispy ballad about Presley).

And he still realizes what its liked to feel crushed by the boredom of daily living That Pretty at So when Zevon.sings it's "Never Too Late for Love" and advises "Let Nothing Come Between You," he's more than earned the right. And when he says he's "Looking For the Next Best Thing," it's not a cry of defeat, tout of hope. Zevon's fifth LP really rocks, too. The Waddy Wachtel- Leland Sklar-Jeff Pocaro nexus (usually exemplars of Mushy Mellow) really put out. and Zevon on keyboards matches them blow for blow.

Aces. Aerosmith I'fS I T7 LABOR MICHAEL McDONALD: If That's What It Takes (Warner Bros.) McDonald, mainspring of the Doobie Brothers since joining the former biker-rock group in 1975. has released his first solo effort on the heels of the group's announced intention to disband. This LP should please Doobie (and McDonald) fans because the 10 cuts here aren't much of a departure from the basic sound McDonald has forged for the group in recent years with hits like "What a Fool Believes" and "Minute By Minute." His approach here. is rather low-key.

featuring Doobie-ish formula pop and a few ballads, but overall it's a good showcase for his yearning, soulful tenor and the bright, backing he's arranged for the cuts. Side one gets off to a strong start with the easygoing "Playin" By the Rules" and the single "I Keep which features soulful harmony between McDonald and his sister Maureen. "Loves Lies" is sadder, slower pop. but is done well and provides nice pacing. "I Gotta Try," which McDonald co-wrote with Kenny Loggins.

is a rather tuneless disappointment, as one would expect more from the same collaboration which produced "What a Fool Believes." The two ballads he wrote (one on each side) are new poses for McDonald, and OFFER I A LARGE SELECTION DURAN DURAN 9 Rio (Harvest) If I had to listen (as op- -posed to dance) to an entire 1 album by one of the so-called Britsh Blitz bands. I'd pick Duran Duran nunr uv riac. six Nouveaux or Spandau Banet (though the first side of SHACK HAS MORE TO T-r aaBaaaacaMaiMpr? I TODAY ONLY DAY COUPON -l RECCED IttJDCDIWex Michael McDonald ft 156 Tilghman St433-0333 12 to 7, Sat. 12 to 6 WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD! WE WILL BE CLOSED MON LABOR DAY All new L.P.'s ($8,98 list) $6.39 EVERY PAY! I "Rock in a Hard Place" I Bad Company "Rough Diamonds" Adrian Betew "Lone Rhino" KimCames "Voyeur" Go-Go's "Vacation" Isley Brothers The Heal Deal" NOW WITH That What Takes" I Robert Plan! I Pictures at Eleven" Teddy Pendergrass This One For You" I Santana I Billy Squer Emotions George Thorogood I Bad to Ihe Bone" $8 98 list I TODAY ONLY 94821 OF COUNTRY EASY LISTENING L.P.'s Many new collectibles too? NO COUPONS NO GIMMICKS TODAY ONLY 50 OFF EVERY LP. IN THE STORE NEW USED SHOW A CURRENT LOCAL COLLEGE I.D.

CARD AND GET A FREE GIFT FROM TOONES! RECORD SHACK 822 HAMILTON MALL STORE HOURS: TOP 1000 (fi AQ EVERY WE PAY CASH FOR USED RECORDS CASSETTES ALLENTOWN rvion uiru aai. iu iu eal DAYh Coupon- 820-4036 NlTES hi 9.